Real Estate Investing in Salem, New Hampshire (03079)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Rockingham County • Population: 30,646 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 03079 (Salem, NH)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (56/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Salem, NH (03079)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $617,806
Avg Monthly Rent $2,621
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $101,856
% Renters 22.8%

Market Analysis: 03079 Salem

ZIP 03079 in Salem, NH carries a significant set of headwinds. Home values near $618K and rents of $2,621/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 03079 reflects the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Regionally, 03079 sits on the difficult end of the NH spectrum. The worth a close look for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Employment concentration in 03079 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 03079 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Salem:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.1× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+6.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,621/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 03079

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
1BR
+10.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$163,162/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $299,580 $1,640 3.9% +10.0% $299,580
2BR $468,424 $2,150 3.3% +9.2% $234,212
3BR $584,725 $2,580 3.2% +8.5% $194,908
4BR $768,757 $2,850 2.7% +9.0% $192,189
5BR $815,809 +8.7% $163,162

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$648K$560K$471K$382K$293K$204KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,914$2,796$2,679$2,562$2,444$2,327Dec 2021Apr 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 03079 Compare?

Metric 03079 Salem New Hampshire
Home Value $617,806 $617,806 $496,656
5-Year CAGR 6.4% 6.4% 9.6%
Avg Rent $2,621 $2,621 -
Cap Rate 3.3% 3.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 03079? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 03079 (Salem, NH). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 03079 (Salem, NH)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.3%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.4%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $617,806
Monthly Rent $2,621
Price-to-Rent 19.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.1%
Cap Rate 3.3%
5-Year IRR 9.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +6.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -6.6% ▼
3-Year CAGR +0.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.3%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
5.9%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.4%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 03079

Population: 30,646

💰 Median Household Income
$101,856
This area
$101,856
State
$93,430
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.8%
This area
22.8%
State
18.9%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-6.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
38.2%
This area
38.2%
State
29.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.2 years
This area
44.2 years
State
34.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.9%
This area
5.9%
State
22.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 87.7%
Other/Mixed 7.1%
Hispanic/Latino 4.4%
Asian 3.9%
Black/African American 1.2%
👶 Under 18
16.9%
This area
16.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.1%
This area
19.1%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
2.8%
This area
2.8%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 03079

A Avg School Grade
10 Schools
13.5:1 Avg Class Size
$25,854 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Dr. L. F. Soule School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
264 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$25,854 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Mary A. Fisk Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
247 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$25,854 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Salem Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
363 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$25,854 Per Student
A+ Excellent

William T. Barron Elementary School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
373 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$25,854 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Woodbury School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
772 Students
👨‍🏫
12.6:1 Class Size
💰
$25,854 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Salem High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,114 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
💰
$25,854 Per Student
A+ Excellent

William E. Lancaster School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
298 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$25,854 Per Student
B Good
👥
121 Students
👨‍🏫
11.0:1 Class Size
B Good

Salem Preschool

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
125 Students
👨‍🏫
24.0:1 Class Size
💰
$25,854 Per Student
👥
235 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 1,523 Off-Campus Students
C
New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Massachusetts
527 students · 6.7 mi
D
Spa Tech Institute-North Andover
144 students · 7.3 mi
C
Northpoint Bible College
128 students · 7.4 mi
C
Massachusetts School of Law
284 students · 7.5 mi
C
Northern Essex Community College
4,510 students · 8.7 mi
C+
Merrimack College
5,688 students · 9.7 mi
B
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
16,770 students · 10.9 mi
C
Lowell Academy Hairstyling Institute
59 students · 11.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,523 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Salem, NH a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Yes - Salem, NH a 3.0/5 investability score. With $618K home prices against $2,621/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

Are eviction rules reasonable in Salem, NH?

NH law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Salem inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What is the rental occupancy rate in Salem, NH?

Vacancy in Salem, NH is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $2,621/mo.

Which real estate strategy fits Salem, NH?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Salem, NH best. The market produces measured results for that approach at the $618K price point.

How much is rent in Salem, NH?

Rent in Salem, NH is around $2,621/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $618K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

You know 03079 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 03079 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 03079 ranks in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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